Country guide · 🇮🇹 Italy
Apostille for importing a Japanese car to Italy
In Italy, importing a Japanese vehicle from outside the EU requires a documentary chain that runs through Agenzia delle Dogane, Motorizzazione Civile (UMC) and the local PRA (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico). The MLIT Certificate of Export with Hague Apostille is the document the Italian Motorizzazione requires for non-EU origin vehicles — without it, the immatricolazione cycle stops.
01 — Italy
The local authority — Motorizzazione Civile (UMC)
Italian vehicle registration is split between Agenzia delle Dogane (customs + VAT), Motorizzazione Civile (UMC) for technical type approval (omologazione individuale per veicoli singoli), and PRA for the legal ownership registration. For non-EU origin documents like the Japanese MLIT certificate, Italian law requires either consular legalisation or — preferably — Hague Apostille, which Italy recognises as legalisation since 1961.
02 — Italy
Why the Italian Motorizzazione strictly requires apostille
Unlike some EU registration authorities that accept notarised foreign documents, the Italian Motorizzazione has a long tradition of documentary formalism. The MLIT certificate written in Japanese, signed by a Japanese ministry official, is not legally valid in Italy without authentication. The Hague Apostille is precisely the authentication that Italy recognises under the 1961 Convention. Without it, the UMC closes the file and you're back to consular legalisation (slower, more expensive).
03 — Italy
Our process for Italian importers
Email us the Certificate of Export scan. Feasibility confirmed in hours. Apostille at MoFA Tokyo in 3 working days. DHL/FedEx to your Italian address — Milano, Roma, Napoli, Torino, Bologna, Verona, ovunque: 3-5 days. Total: 10-15 days door-to-door. €280 fissi. Garanzia di rimborso: se la Motorizzazione respinge l'apostille (non succederà), rimborso integrale.
04 — Italy
Tips per importatori italiani
Affianca l'apostille con: traduzione giurata presso il Tribunale (noi non traduciamo, solo legalizziamo); nullaosta dell'omologazione individuale se il veicolo non ha CoC europeo; fattura d'acquisto giapponese per la dogana IVA. Per appassionati JDM (Skyline, Supra, classiche): la Motorizzazione accetta perfettamente RHD per immatricolazione. Per dealer: scheduling batch al MoFA Tokyo.
Ready to apostille your Italy import?
Send us the scan of your Certificate of Export. We confirm feasibility within hours, deliver the apostilled original to Italy in 15 days door-to-door. € 280, all-inclusive, refund guaranteed.